Hundreds to protest proposed privatization

UTICA, MI — Hundreds of custodians and supporters are planning a protest of next week''s Utica Community Schools'' board meeting in opposition of the district''s consideration of outsourcing custodial services, according to The Detroit News.

According to the story, the district''s proposed plan would save as much as $4.4 million a year, but would lay off all of the 156 custodians working for the district.

Superintendent Christine Johns said: "Ninety percent of our budget is people. The issue is about salary, wages and retirement costs."

Union members say they have made concessions — like agreeing to take furlough days — in the past, and are concerned that other labor areas like food service may be next on the chopping block, the story stated.